What is it?
Nine councils across northern and western Victoria, including Northern Grampians Shire, have joined forces under the Wimmera Southern Mallee Council Alliance (WSMCA) and commissioned the Resource Ready: North-Western Victoria Energy & Mining Impact and Readiness Strategy.
The strategy calls for proper investment and due diligence from state and federal governments to ensure communities are prepared for major energy, transmission and mining projects. The strategy proposes 44 evidence-based actions across eight priority themes, including community readiness, infrastructure development, housing solutions, workforce planning, and agricultural sector protection.
Why is it needed?
Northern Grampians Shire Council sits within the Western Renewable Energy Zone. It sits at the crossroads of two major proposed transmission projects, VNI West and the Western Renewables Link (WRL). The shire hosts four operating renewable energy generators, with many more projects proposed.
WSMCA is seeking support for three priorities actions with the Strategy.
Priority 1: Local Government Resourcing.
- Current compliance demands from renewable energy and mining projects is placing extensive strain on council resources (financial and people). Compounded by fires and natural disasters
- Seeking funding for resourcing to address compliance costs associated with mining and the renewable energy transition.
Priority 2: Establish and Economic Transition Fund for the Wimmera Southern Mallee Region.
- Councils currently lack the capacity to address the challenges posed by economic transitions, including the impact on our roads, and the rising demand for housing and community infrastructure.
- Seeking commitment for an Economic Transition Fund (ETF) to assist Councils in the Wimmera Southern Mallee to effectively respond to the economic transition from mining and renewable energy as identified in the Resource Readiness Strategy.
Priority 3: Active involvement in shaping the Community Benefit Fund – with the aim of it funding the Economic Transition Fund.
- A well-defined framework is required for the creation and management of the Community Benefit Fund to ensure rural Victoria is properly represented. Additionally, investments should align with the priorities of State, Regional, and Local Government
- Seeking to be actively involved in both the scoping and implementation phases of the Community Benefit Fund(CBF). We want the Government to commit to ensuring that the fund supports strategic investment across the region and contributes to the financing of the Economic Transition Fund to address the Resource Readiness Strategy identified actions and priorities.
The ask
Priority 1: $300,000 per year for next five years ($1.5 million per Council). Total package for 9 Councils is $13.5million.
Priority 2: Commitment to the Economic Transition Fund, and $750,000 upfront to fund the key actions to identify specific projects as outlined in the Resource Readiness Strategy.
Priority 3: Local Government has a key seat at the table to input and design the community benefit scheme. The CBF is to fund the Economic Transition Fund and enable Wimmera Southern Mallee Councils and Community to respond to the Resource Readiness Strategy priorities and Actions.
Specifications
- Location: Shire-wide
- State seat: Lowan & Ripon
- Federal seat: Mallee
- Advocacy type: Lead
- Council plan goal: Business buzz: Agriculture, economy and tourism
- Existing commitments: State Government provided $200,000 towards the Resource Ready: North-Western Energy & Mining Impact & Readiness Study.
- What has been done so far: Resource Ready: North-Western Energy & Mining Impact & Readiness Study, 2026
- Partnerships: Wimmera Southern Mallee Council Alliance
- Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025–29
- Resource Ready: North-Western Energy & Mining Impact & Readiness Study, 2026